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Andrew Lester, an 86-year-old man from Kansas City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in connection with the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, according to multiple US media reports. The incident occurred in April 2023 when Yarl mistakenly approached Lester's home to pick up his siblings. Lester shot Yarl twice without any prior dialogue, leaving him with serious injuries.
As part of a plea deal, Lester's trial, set to begin next week, has been avoided. He initially faced charges including armed criminal action and could have faced life in prison. His plea allows him to potentially face up to seven years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for March 7. The Yarl family expressed hope that the court would impose a sentence commensurate with the severity of the crime.
The case sparked public protests and discussions about gun violence and racial issues, as Yarl, who is Black, was shot by Lester, who is white. Protests garnered support from celebrities and raised concerns about "stand your ground" laws, which many activists argue disproportionately affect Black individuals.